Head of School Martin Mooney (l) with Brody Dupuis ’18 and Capt. Patrick Deane, USMC

Bridgton Academy Class of 2018 graduate Brody Dupuis (Hooksett, NH) has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship. Dupuis received the honor in a small ceremony on the campus of Bridgton Academy in March, but was formally honored during Bridgton Academy’s 2018 Commencement Exercises on May 4, 2018. Dupuis, who will matriculate and play baseball at the University of Maryland – Baltimore Campus, was one of only a handful of students to receive this scholarship, with a nationwide pool of over 300 applicants culled down to only 55 scholarship recipients.

“It was an honor to witness Brody earn and be awarded the NROTC Scholarship,” said Bridgton Director of College Counseling, Jamie Izaryk. “The dedication and perseverance that Brody displayed during the scholarship process was second to none. Helping to coordinate the big surprise was such a special moment for the College Counseling Office, and entire Bridgton Academy community. We are so proud of Brody and his hard work this year, and honored that he is now an alumnus. Having Capt. Deane present Brody with his scholarship is something that we will remember fondly for a long time.”

Dupuis went through a rigorous application process to be selected for the NROTC Scholarship, but the selection still came as a surprise. “Being surprised with the scholarship in the Academy Building was the most incredible feeling I’ve ever experienced,” Dupuis said, “not only because I was witnessing my dreams become reality, but because I was surrounded by an incredible group of teachers, family, and coaches that have helped me tremendously throughout this entire year. To share that moment with them was incredible, and I’ll never forget it.”

United States Marine Captain Patrick Deane explained the application process: “A geographic area spanned from Maryland to Maine provided just over 300 board-eligible applicants… Each board eligible applicant is of the highest quality; multiple varsity sports, impressive coursework/grades, leadership positions, and community service. The 55 winning
applicants were selected by a panel of eight Marine Captains presided over by a Marine Corps Major. The scholarship provides full tuition to a college with an NROTC program that the applicant selects and ultimately results in a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the USMC.”

“This opportunity is a dream come true,” said Dupuis. “It’s years of hard work, and help from my family, teachers, and coaches that made it possible. I know that I will do everything in my power to be the best Marine Corps officer that I can be.”